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Central Africa: A Dynamic Hub for Innovation and Investment

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African Energy

At the Invest in African Energy 2024 forum in Paris, Central Africa’s energy hotspots will showcase its most transformative projects, inviting global participation

PARIS, France, December 21, 2023/APO Group/ — 

Central Africa holds some of Africa’s leading frontier markets for hydrocarbon exploration, featuring underexplored acreage, coupled with substantial proven oil and gas reserves. Along with emerging renewable developments and significant needs for enhanced power generation and distribution, the region features investment opportunities across its energy value chain. The upcoming Invest in African Energy (IAE) event in Paris in May 2024 will highlight the full spectrum of energy investment opportunities in the region, providing a platform for investors, developers and service providers to engage with the region’s most transformative projects.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is rapidly evolving into a regional gas liquefaction and distribution hub through its flagship Gas Mega Hub (GMH) initiative. Its first phase successfully linked the offshore Alen Field to the Punta Europa liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on Bioko Island, while the second phase focuses on processing gas from the Alba Field and is set to come online in 2024. Phase Three, transporting gas from the Aseng Field, has secured agreements with Marathon Oil, signed last March. The country is actively seeking to expand gas-focused investments through collaborations with international investors.

Republic of the Congo

Congo-Brazzaville is positioning itself as a dynamic energy market, with new developments spanning oil exploration to gas monetization. Perenco recently completed a 3D seismic acquisition campaign on the Tchibouela II, Tchendo II, Marine XXVIII and Emeraude permits, paving the way for future exploration drilling and aligning with efforts to double hydrocarbon output to 500,000 bpd. Eni is awaiting the start-up of its Congo LNG project – set to transform ROC into a top LNG exporter – while a new 50,000-bpd refinery is expected to come online Q1 2024. At the previous edition of IAE in Paris, Congolese Ministry of Hydrocarbons entered into a cooperation agreement with Technip Energies, focusing on capacity building for on- and offshore energy developments, as well as energy transition principles related to LNG, zero-carbon energy solutions and decarbonization.

The region features investment opportunities across its energy value chain

Chad

Chad is seeking investments for its energy sector, which houses 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, renewable energy opportunities and an untapped natural gas market. Advancing Chad’s upstream and associated gas-harnessing capabilities, Perenco brought online the Moundou Power Station earlier this year, utilizing feedgas from its operated Badila and Mangara fields. Chad is also a key player in the Central African Pipeline System — a 6,500-km regional oil and gas pipeline set to include storage depots, LNG terminals, refineries and gas-fired power plants. Currently in its feasibility stage, the project is seeking investors.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The DRC has emphasized its untapped hydrocarbon potential and awarded production sharing contracts for three gas blocks in Lake Kivu earlier this year. Last July, the country signed a historic cooperation agreement with Angola for the exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons in Chevron-operated Block 14,  located on the two countries’ maritime border. The country is seeking to expand its crude oil output, while also expanding its critical minerals industry that could help fuel the global energy transition. Last month, Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines announced a significant copper discovery in the DRC, signaling exploration opportunities for European mining companies.

Cameroon

Cameroon recently inaugurated its first large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants: the 36 MWp Maroua and Guider facilities. Developed by Norway’s Scatec and commissioned by Cameroon’s Eneo – with $27.3 million in investment and a $11.6-million guarantee from BGFIBank Group – the plants generate 80 GWh annually and will contribute to the elimination of approximately 60,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. The project also addresses the urban-rural electrification gap, currently at 65% and 25%, respectively, and aims to raise electricity access rates and diversify Cameroon’s energy mix. The country’s abundant solar resources make it an ideal destination for European investors seeking clean energy investment opportunities.

Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2024 is an exclusive forum designed to foster collaboration between European investors and African energy markets. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Ministers among hundreds of energy-sector leaders to attend AOW event

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The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors”

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

AOW: Investing in African Energy (https://AOWEnergy.com) – Africa’s leading oil, gas and energy event – has confirmed attendance for more than 80 ministers and senior officials, representing African governments, energy departments and regulators at next month’s event.

These influential stakeholders will be among the more than 1 600 senior delegates and industry leaders who will be attending the event to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

The event kicks off with an invitation-only ministerial symposium focused on the theme of “Fostering innovation, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the oil, gas, and energy sectors.”

Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention

Among the officials and government ministers attending will be energy leaders from South Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Eswatini, Uganda, CAR, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Gabon, Malawi, Morocco, Zanzibar, Liberia, Senegal, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone.

In addition, the event will feature high-level delegations from numerous national oil companies, as well as multilateral bodies including the African Union, (AU), African Energy Commission (AFREC), African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

AOW will see these energy leaders networking with C-suite executives and decision-makers from more than 760 top energy companies at daily networking events, to discuss insights, forge new relationships, and negotiate major energy deals.

“We are so excited to see the calibre of delegates at this year’s AOW event,” says Chief Executive Officer of Sankofa Events, Paul Sinclair. “Given the recent major oil-and-gas discoveries across Africa, the energy transition and major geopolitical events, it is clear that the energy sector needs positive intervention. The high-powered attendance proves AOW is a key platform to enable this intervention.”

Key themes to be discussed at this year’s AOW will be sustainable upstream development; expanding gas value chains; renewables and new energies; adoption of best-in-class technologies; and access to finance.

AOW: Investing in African Energy will culminate in a special anniversary party at Groot Constantia Vineyard to celebrate 30 years of the AOW event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.

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Afreximbank approves US$20.8 million for Starlink Global’s cashew factory project in Lagos

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The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs

CAIRO, Egypt, October 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has approved a US$20.8 million financing facility for Nigeria-based Starlink Global & Ideal Limited to enable the company construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria

According to the facility agreement signed in on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank will provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48M going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling US$13.25M to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

The facility is expected to promote value addition which will guarantee increased earnings to the company while also fostering the creation of about 400 new jobs once the factory becomes operational. It is also expected to support about 40 small and medium-sized enterprises.

Commenting on the transaction, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra Africa Trade and Export Development, Afreximbank, said that by supporting Starlink Global to establish a modern processing facility, Afreximbank is making it possible for Africa to add value to its agro-commodities, thereby facilitating exports and subsequent inflow of much-needed foreign exchange into the continent.

“We are delighted at this partnership which promises to deliver significant impact on employment in Nigeria. It will contribute to value creation and to the development of the local community while also improving the lots of smallholder farmers and small business suppliers that will work with Starlink across the value chain,” Mrs. Awani added.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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Sonangol to Lead Decarbonized Oil & Gas (O&G) Development, Says Angolan National Oil Company (NOC) Head

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Participating in an on-stage interview at Angola Oil & Gas 2024, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins emphasized that oil and gas remains a core focus for the national oil company

LUANDA, Angola, October 3, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Angola’s national oil company Sonangol reiterated its commitment to driving sustainable hydrocarbon development during the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference this week. Speaking during an “In-Conversation with” session, Sonangol CEO Sebastião Gaspar Martins stated that the company will not abandon oil and gas, but rather advance decarbonized oil and gas development.

We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas

By investing in upstream oil and gas production while prioritizing low-carbon projects, Sonangol aims to boost national crude output, while diversifying and decarbonizing the industry. The NOC is focusing efforts on non-associated gas development, as well as alternative energy sources such as solar.

“We are looking at opportunities in the gas sector and have identified the right partner to develop non-associated gas. Gas produced from Angola LNG will be used for the production of fertilizer and we are evaluating the utilization of gas in the south of the country, linking gas with steel industries. We also have a blue carbon project, linked to the reduction of carbon through the plantation of mangroves. We have one area in Luanda and have identified four additional areas for this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Sonangol has undergone transformation in recent years: following the creation of the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency (ANPG) in 2019, Sonangol transferred its role as national concessionaire and regulator. This transformation has aimed to make Sonangol more competitive and strengthen its capacity as an upstream operator. Concurrently, the government is partially privatizing the NOC, with privatization set to be complete in 2026. This process will enhance financial capacity, allowing Sonangol to drive new upstream projects forward.

“The transformation of Sonangol started several years ago, when we passed the regulatory, concessionaire role to the ANPG. At the time, we transferred almost 600 employees to the ANPG. After that, Sonangol underwent a restructuring program where we created five core business units from 36 different entities – starting with exploration and production. We want to go public, but we want to do it properly. So, we are currently going through all the processes to do this,” stated Gaspar Martins.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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